© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

The Path of the PC TechChapter 1

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

Overview

• In this chapter, you will learn how to

– Explain the importance of gaining skill in managing and troubleshooting PCs

– Explain the importance of CompTIA A+ certification

– Describe how to become CompTIA A+ certified

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

Concept of Certifications

• Required in many professions

– Automobile mechanic – ASE

– Accountant – CPA

• Certification shows competency

– Often opens doors

– Helps get your resume noticed

– Helps you land the interview

Certified

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

Importance of CompTIA A+ Certification

• There is a long history of vendor-specific certifications for techs

– HP Certified Professional

– Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

• There was a need for a general certification for PC techs

– Validate that the tech can maintain, upgrade, and repair PCs

• CompTIA A+ is that certification

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?

• Industry-wide, vendor-neutral

• Sponsored by CompTIA

• Wide recognition in computer industry

• Covers nine months of knowledge

• More than 800,000 CompTIA A+ certified techs worldwide

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

Who Is CompTIA?

• Nonprofit, industry trade association

• More than 20,000 member organizations in 102 countries

• Virtually every company of consequence in the IT industry is a member

• Offers certifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, and more

• See www.comptia.org for details

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

The Path to Other Certifications

• CompTIA Network+

– Shows competency as a network technician

• Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional

– Shows competency in Microsoft operating systems

• Cisco

– Shows competency in routing and switching technologies

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

CompTIA A+ Certification

• How to become CompTIA A+ certified

– Pass two computer-based, multiple-choice exams

• Requires that you pay a fee

– CompTIA A+ 220-801

– CompTIA A+ 220-802

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

CompTIA A+ Certification

• No more “Lifetime Certification”!

– Effective January 1, 2011, CompTIA’s A+, Security+, and Network+ are no longer “certified for life”

– If you passed before this date, you are “grandfathered”

– Must retake exam every 3 years OR earn CEU’s

– CEUs gained by attending industry events, training, teaching, or earning higher-level certifications

– Brings CompTIA’s certifications in line with other industry certifications

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

The CompTIA A+ Exams

• Windows Desktop-centric

– No Mac, no Linux, no Windows Server, no Windows Mobile

• Windows XP

• Windows Vista

• Windows 7

• Windows 8 will not be covered on either exam

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

Basic Exam Structure

• Multiple choice questions such as

1. A dot-matrix printer is printing blank pages. What should you check first?

A. Printer drivers

B. Platen

C. Print head

D. Ribbon

2. Click on the locationof the processorsocket in the picture

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

Essentials (220-801)

• Domains and percentages for the CompTIA A+ 220-801 exam

Domain Percentage

1.0 PC Hardware 40%

2.0 Networking 27%

3.0 Laptops 11%

4.0 Printers 11%

5.0 Operational Procedures 11%

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

Practical Application (220-802)

36%4.0 Troubleshooting

9%

22%

33%

Percentage

3.0 Mobile Devices

1.0 Operating Systems

2.0 Security

Domain

• Domains and percentages for the CompTIA A+ 220-802 exam

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

What Chapters Cover Each Exam?

• Objective map in Appendix A

– Shows exactly where objectives are covered

• Book focuses on tech skills

– Expect the chapter to teach you the material fully.

– Each exam tests at different depths:

• 220-801 Identify, install, and configure

• 220-802 Maintain and troubleshoot

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

How to Take the Tests

• Offered by Prometric at testing sites worldwide

– 800-776-4276 or www.prometric.com

• Offered by Pearson/VUE at testing sites worldwide

– 877-551-PLUS (7587) or www.vue.com

• Cost of the exams

– $178 (U.S.) per exam – pass or fail

– Discount vouchers widely available

© 2012 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+®

Guide to

Managing and

Troubleshooting PCs

Fourth Edition

How to Pass the CompTIA A+ Exams

• Set a date as your goal

• Set aside enough time for study and lab

• Use the practice exams on the CD that comes with the book

• Use good study strategies

– Write down information in your own handwriting

– Make flash cards

– Set aside a special time for study each day